Joule (commonly pronounced "jew'l") is the SI unit for energy or work in all forms, and it is one of the derived SI units. It is also the unit for quantity of heat, where it replaces the calorie whenever possible. The symbol for joule is J and the unit is defined as

the work done when the point of application of 1 MKS (meter, kilogram, second) unit of force (newton) moves a distance of one metre in the direction of the force

It is worth pointing out that 1 J = 1 Nm - which follows directly by the above definition - and the educated reader will immediately notice that newton meter (Nm) is the SI unit for torque. Torque and energy are however two different physical phenomena, which is why joule should be used only for energy, and newton meter should only be used for torque.

Furthermore, since the unit newton also is a derived SI unit, we can write

1 J = 1 Nm = 1 m2 kg/s2

This makes possible another definition of the unit expressed only in the base SI units. Keeping in mind that kinetic energy is defined as

Ek = m v2/2

we now can define the energy unit joule directly as

the kinetic energy of two kilograms moving at a velocity of one meter per second

A unit of work which is equal to 107 units of work in the C. G. S. system of units (ergs), and is practically equivalent to the energy expended in one second by an electric current of one ampere in a resistance of one ohm. One joule is approximately equal to 0.738 foot pounds.